"STAMPS TO THE RESCUE"

Starting April 30, you can purchase postage stamps at the Ola Post Office that will help buy food for shelter pets. This is an easy way to help our "best" friends.

You can also go online and see how your purchase helps the pets that are in the shelters. www.stampstotherescue.com

SMITHS FERRY via HIGH VALLEY

I received a message from Maxine Jeffs this AM regarding the road to Smiths Ferry from High Valley.

The Valley County road grader is working to open the road today, so it probably will be passable tomorrow. Mud, ice and slush will remain, so 4-wheel drive might be a good idea.

Please use caution!!!!

BIKES, BIKES AND MORE BIKES!!

The POW-MIA Motorcycle club held its first ride and rally of the year, Sunday, in Ola. More than 130 motorcycles enjoyed an afternoon of sunshine, great music and a delicious meal prepared by the Ola Inn. After taking a small break, it was great to see the bikers!

Welcome back POW-MIA members!!

I want to say how much I appreciated being named Senior Volunteer of the Year and thank everyone for all the cards, support and love you showed me.
I would also like to thank ALL the volunteers of Ola for making our community "special" and to say how much you are appreciated.

My "Thanks"again

Joy

THE OLA INN'S FAVORITE COFFEE DRINKER..

..is starting his long awaited treatment today. As most of us know, Blane has gone through a lot to get to this point. We wish him the best of luck!!!

2010 MS. IDAHO SENIOR PAGEANT

Lunch at Cold Mountain prior to the Pageant where Joy was "spotlighted" for her volunteerism. Michelle presenting Joy with a rose.
Joy, we appreciate the endless hours you put in to make our community of Ola great!! Wish I could have been there!!!

Tickets are available for purchase at the Co-op, Triangle and Digital Detour on Main Street. You can also visit their website at www.gemcountysheriffposse.com for more information.

GOOD TIMES AT THE CARNIVAL!!!!

Everyone was having a good time at the Ola Elementary School Carnival tonight, especially the kids! Lots of games, great prizes, plenty of food and some really nice items donated for the auction. Skill and concentration!

The favorite Cake Walk!

And little bit of help!

Many thanks to the PTO for doing such a great job!

IT'S NOT IF.....IT'S WHEN...

...and thanks to Harry Steele from the Idaho Department of Lands, we'll be better prepared. The FireWise workshop at the Hall was very well attended, the Sheriff, a Commissioner, a couple of Fire Chiefs and lots of homeowners now understand that it is our personal responsibility to help protect our homes against wildfire. With limited resources when a wildfire occurs, the safety of our homes is up to us. Harry and a DVD, gave several tips on what we can do to protect our property. Some easy but important suggestions were to rake up all pine needles around your buildings, clean out rain gutters, remove all wood stacked against buildings, create a defensible perimeter and have a convenient water source available (full water troughs) in the event of loss of power. We appreciate her time and the valuable information she shared with us.

CONGRATULATIONS TO LORI HEIPLE!!

Lori Heiple's photograph of Ola was chosen to represent Gem County for the month of March in their 2011 calendar. Great job Lori!!

HOUSE AUCTIONED OFF!!!!

Wes Andelin was the high bidder at $28,000. There was one other bidder from Emmett.
The auction was attended by several local residents to observe the real estate auction process. Congrats to Wes!

COMMUNITY MEETING AND POT LUCK

For those of you that were unable to attend last night's meeting and pot luck here is a recap.

The potluck was terrific, lots of salads, casseroles and desserts. Everyone was well fed before the meeting started. The meeting was brought to order by Harry. Both Harry and Judi were re-elected to the board as their terms were up this year. Bill's term is up next year with Denny's up in 2012. The Hall restoration was discussed, money left over from the grant and the work that is left to do, floors and wainscoting and sealing the cement patio. With the park drying out, the work will start, sprinkler system and fill dirt to level it out. A good portion of the time was spent discussing the dire need for church siding. As we all know, the south side of the church is in bad shape and something has to be done soon. Bill and Gloria had names of different siding companies that could do the work. Gloria is checking if there are any grants available, however, that process is long and the work should be done this year. Money, of course, is an issue, so if you could possibly help, donations for the new siding would be greatly appreciated. We really want to save our church. It's lasted 100 years, in order for it to last another 100 we have to take care of it. Checks can be made payable to: Ola Community Church Restoration and given to Judi. Thank you so very much!!!

*****SCIENCE FAIR*****

A beautiful exhibit by Norma Hyde's class.

Interested spectators!

Lily Heiple and Moises Chavez, proudly displaying their exhibits.

WANT TO KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON IN GEM COUNTY? Log onto www.messenger-index.com . They're providing up to date news, weather and alerts online and for you Facebook users, become a fan.

*******GREAT MEETING*******

On Tuesday night the BLM gave a very interesting training workshop on fighting wildfires. The training meeting was well attended by both Sweet and Ola volunteer firefighters. Every year we cross our fingers that we won't have to use this training but it will sure benefit all of us when the time comes. Many thanks to the BLM crew for sharing your knowledge with us and thanks to the volunteers from Gem County District #2 for attending Tuesday's training.

Dennis Weaver
Assistant Chief
Ola Fire Station

MANY THANKS!!

Jim and Bobbi would like to thank everyone for the cards and phone calls after Jim's accident. Your thoughtfulness and concern is greatly appreciated. Thanks again!

BULL TROUT CRITICAL HABITAT

If you have any questions,, Dave Poole, Charlie, Butch, Harry and Russ were at the meeting today. Give anyone of them a call to find out what was discussed. Please take the time and voice your opinion.

WE HAVE A WINNER...

Congratulations to Jim Sullivan of Emmett for winning the Ola Public Library Mossberg shotgun raffle.
The winning ticket was drawn Saturday night at the Annual Sweetheart Dinner. Jim was notified, and wasted no time driving up to Ola on Sunday to pick up his prize.

The Ola Public Library wishes to thank all of you who supported the library by entering this raffle.

OUR FAVORITE FUNDRAISER...

What a wonderful evening! The Sweetheart Dinner is an annual event that benefits the Ola Library. Every year, all that attend can look forward to good company and great food, and this year was no exception. The Hall was inviting with the elegant tables and the wonderful smell of a meal that was out of this world. To this sold out event, we were treated to our favorite salad, prime rib cooked to perfection, baked potatoes and dessert. The Library Board works very hard to make this night special and last night they out did themselves. Many thanks to Alan for cooking the delicious meat and to all the volunteers for making this Sweetheart Dinner one to remember!!

IDAHO SEEDLINGS

Check out this site if you are planning on planting trees this spring www.seedlings.uidaho.com/nurseryshop/default.asp? There is a wide variety of native Idaho seedlings available for purchase. It offers a great description of the plant, the wildlife benefits, growing size and sun requirements.

Thank you Sharon for sharing this with us.

CHILI AND BINGO COMPLIMENT EACH OTHER

The Cowboy Supper Saturday night was a great time! The food was great, with several variations of chili and cornbread. The weather wasn't the best but that didn't stop the community from leaving the warmth of their homes to eat and play bingo. A very nice selection of "white elephant" gifts was on display for bingo winners to shop ahead. Ladies Club presented the Ola Fire Department with a nice check that was earned at the Fireman's Pancake Supper. The Fire Department was grateful for the donation.

Thank you, Ola Ladies Club for all you do!!

CHECK OUT THIS NEW WEB SITE

Pure Cowboy is a new website by Mike and Sarah, containing an extensive variety of beautiful western collectibles, check it out. www.purecowboy.us

2010 GEM COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

Here is the 2010 schedule for the Gem County Commissioners:

April 26
August 23
November 22

These are the open public forum meetings held at the Ola Hall at 7PM.
I have posted them on the monthly calendars and will also be posting a reminder on the Newsletter as the dates draw near.

The Sweet schedule is also on the calendar and those dates are as follows: 3/22, 7/26 and 10/25. The meetings start at 7PM and are held at the Syringa Hall.

OLA'S CHRISTMAS PROGRAM

The program was great as always and there was a full house. All of the children were dressed in their Christmas finest outfits and really spoke up and sang out, during the entire program. The Hall looked festive as it was decorated with the students beautiful artwork. Thomas was outstanding as "Santa In Space". Lily sang "Hark The Herald Angels Sing" and brought tears to your eyes with her clear, sweet voice. Faith played "Away in the Manger" with poise and grace. Bob sang two carols that conveyed the true meaning of Christmas and Mrs. Andelin was a new and wonderful addition to the program as she played the violin the the piano. Our Kindergartners and preschoolers squealed with delight when Santa came into the Hall. He took time and got every one's list. Everyone in attendance received a goody bag. It was a wonderful evening. Many thanks to our students and staff for giving the community a wonderful Christmas gift!!


Thanks Joyce!

NEXT DAY DELIVERY!

The mail service was as good in 1907 as it is today, Boise to Ola in a day and notice postage was just one cent. Thank you so much Sharon for sharing this with us!

A NOTE OF GRATITUDE.....

was posted this morning on Craigs List from the family whose dog was returned to them. They are very thankful to the kind people in Ola. To view the actual post go to http://boise.craigslist.org/grd/1481539306.html

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OLA CEMETERY ON-LINE

The Ola Cemetery is now on-line. Check out www.gem.idgenweb.org/cem_ola.html. I have also added this as a link, off to the left, under Gem County. This is such a wonderful addition to our newsletter! Thank you Sharon!

HAPPILY EVER AFTER.....

Thanks to the use and readership of the Ola Community Newsletter and an ad on Craig's List, a family and their dog have been reunited.

WELL WORTH IT!!

By selling calendars, DVD's and note cards, the Ola Ladies Club earned approximately $300.00 at the Sweet Bazaar last Saturday. Great job Gloria!

EXCITING NEWS!!

The Community has been granted a $3000.00 grant for the park. Many thanks to the Idaho Community Foundation and those who work so hard applying for these grants to keep Ola beautiful.

ARE YOU MISSING YOUR BEST FRIEND?

Rau's (the people that live in Jacobus' old house on High Valley Rd) have a stray German Shepherd looking dog. This dog has two collars, one green and the other is a choke chain. If this is your friend, please stop by and pick it up.

FIREMEN'S PANCAKE SUPPER

The Firemen's Pancake Supper

is being held

Saturday, November 21 at 6:00PM
at the Ola Community Hall.

This is a fundraiser for the Ola Fire Department.

Please join us and offer your support!

$10.00 pp or $25.00 per family with

children under 12

THANK YOU!!

Thanks to everyone that is using Goodshop, we have $30.00 in our account for the Community. Good job!

MANY THANKS TO PAM AND CYLE!!!!

Through the Scratch for Schools program, Pam and Cyle were able to donate $527.00 to the Ola Elementary. Great job!

2009 HALLOWEEN PARADE